Patent Application
20240270485
This invention relates to the field of construction. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for transporting and delivering flowable materials at a construction site, such as for depositing stemming materials into a blast hole at a blasting site.
Explosive blasting in construction and mining operations requires drilling a large number of blast holes into the ground, placing explosive charges into the holes and then detonating the charges. The explosion fragments solid rock by sending shock waves through the ground, which makes the process of removing the rock significantly easier.
Before the explosives are detonated, the blast holes are covered with non-volatile matter, such as crushed gravel and water, in a process commonly referred to as stemming. Each of the blast holes is stemmed to prevent high velocity explosive blast gases from escaping through the top of the blast holes. The practice also allows for better ejection control, which is important in terms of controlling debris from leaving the blast zone. Additionally, applying stemming on top of the explosive agent increases the fragmentation of the rock while decreasing the noise generated by the blast.
However, given the large number of blast holes that are present at each blast site, the stemming process has historically been rudimentary, very labor intensive, and time consuming. Prior stemming practices have involved manually shoveling the stemming material into five-gallon buckets from a material pile located near the blasting location and carrying the filled buckets to the holes to be stemmed. This method has many disadvantages, such as strain on laborers caused by shoveling large quantities of material and carrying filled buckets over harsh terrain, the waste of stemming material associated with the filling and transportation of the buckets, time inefficiencies involved in a labor-intensive manual process, and increased manpower needed to complete the process in a timely manner.
Another similar method involves using smaller stemming piles located closer to each blasting hole. This method reduces the need for carrying buckets, but it still requires many laborers to perform manual shoveling, wastes a significant amount of the stemming material, and requires more time to complete the stemming process.
Some effective solutions for minimizing time and effort associated with stemming include using specialized standalone stemming apparatuses-similar to functional trailers—that may be deposited at a site, oftentimes filled with stemming material using typical machinery like front end loaders, track hoes, skid loaders, etc. However, it may be inconvenient or impossible to transport standalone stemming apparatuses to remote job sites. Moreover, such standalone stemming apparatuses tend to be expensive. In these cases, it would be preferable to use typical machinery, such as front-end loaders, track hoes, and skid loaders, to carry out the stemming process in addition to their typical functions.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that enables stemming material to be quickly and conveniently poured into a blast hole using typical machinery. The needed apparatus would be both inexpensive and engageable with standard factory-provided bucket mounting and maneuvering systems.
Described herein is a material delivery apparatus, referred to herein as a funnel bucket, that can be mounted to and maneuvered by typical transport machinery, such as front end loaders, track hoes, and skid steer loaders. A preferred embodiment of the funnel bucket includes two main parts: a bucket and a funnel cover. One use of the funnel bucket apparatus is for depositing a flowable material into a blast hole at a blasting site to fill the hole after the explosive charge has been loaded, which is also referred to as stemming the hole. The flowable material that stems the hole is also referred to herein as stemming material. Embodiments of the funnel bucket described herein may include several other components for facilitating an effective rate of loading and deposition of stemming material, including a hydraulic actuator system, one or more discharge chute attachments, and a bucket vibrator.
As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, there are several benefits provided by the embodiments of the funnel bucket apparatus described herein. Firstly, it allows one operator to complete the tasks previously performed by three to four people, and those tasks can be performed in less time and with a lower potential for workplace injuries. Thus, use of the funnel bucket apparatus described herein is more time efficient and labor efficient than conventional stemming processes, while also increasing workplace safety. Secondly, the operator can better monitor the flow of stemming material into the blast hole, which helps avoid a blockage in the hole that can prevent proper stemming. By ensuring proper stemming, the funnel bucket apparatus described herein helps to prevent potential fly rock/debris from leaving the blast zone and helps to get proper breakage of the rock during the blast. Thirdly, use of the funnel bucket apparatus described herein prevents waste of stemming material, because only one large pile of stemming material is used for filling multiple blast holes, rather than several small piles scattered throughout the blast zone. Since there is no need for workers to manually fill and carry buckets of stemming material, less material is wasted by inadvertent spillage on the ground during shoveling or transport.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a funnel bucket apparatus that includes a bucket, a funnel cover, and a hinge mechanism that pivotally connects the funnel cover to the bucket. The bucket has an attachment mechanism that attaches the bucket to a transport machine. The funnel cover includes a cover portion, a funnel portion, and a discharge opening in the funnel portion. An actuator system connected to the bucket and the funnel cover is configured to move the funnel cover between open and closed positions with respect to the bucket.
In some embodiments, the funnel bucket apparatus includes a bucket vibrator attached to the bucket or the funnel cover.
In some embodiments, the funnel bucket apparatus includes one or more discharge chute attachments configured for removable attachment to the funnel portion adjacent the discharge opening.
In some embodiments, the actuator system comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a first clevis end attached to the funnel cover and a second clevis end attached to the bucket.
In some embodiments, the funnel bucket apparatus includes a gate that is movably attached to the funnel portion. The gate is operable to move to multiple positions in which the gate at least partially covers the discharge opening by different amounts.
Some embodiments are directed to a method for depositing stemming material in a blast hole using the funnel bucket apparatus. The method includes:
In some embodiments, the gate of the funnel bucket apparatus is operable to move to multiple positions in which the gate at least partially covers the discharge opening by different amounts, and the method includes moving the gate to one of the multiple positions to affect flow of the stemming material through the discharge opening.
In some embodiments, the bucket vibrator is attached to the funnel cover, and the method includes operating the bucket vibrator to affect flow of the stemming material through the discharge opening.
In some embodiments, the discharge chute attachment is attached to the funnel portion adjacent the discharge opening, and the method includes flowing the stemming material through the discharge opening and the discharge chute attachment.
Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
In some embodiments, the bucket 12, funnel cover 14, and various other components may be formed from stainless steel or other similar materials with like suitable properties. Stainless steel is highly durable and is suitable for withstanding both extreme environmental conditions and the extreme wear associated with harsh uses like grading and stemming, which require contact with highly abrasive materials. In some embodiments, in order to transport bulk explosives and other volatile materials, the bucket 12, funnel cover 14, and various other components (such as cutting edges on the bucket 12) may be formed entirely or partly from non-sparking materials, such as nonferrous metals, nylon, polyethylene, polyurethane or other similar materials with like suitable properties. Accordingly, a funnel bucket apparatus 10 made from suitable materials can be used for multiple purposes, including grading, stemming, and bulk explosives loading.
The funnel bucket apparatus 10 is a comprehensive solution—a single piece of equipment performing the functions of several. Using the funnel bucket apparatus 10, an operator can scoop and load material, transport the material to a blast hole, and deposit the material therein. This multifunctionality is a virtue of versatility and maneuverability, which allows an operator to transition the funnel bucket apparatus 10 between open and closed positions as well as maneuver the apparatus as he would any other bucket. Thus, as shown in
In the embodiment depicted in
Some embodiments include one or more discharge chute attachments 26 that control how stemming material is deposited via the discharge opening 18. The dimensions and features of the discharge chute attachments 26 may be selected to optimize numerous variables associated with the discharge of stemming material via the discharge opening 18 and guidance of the material through the discharge chute attachments 26. For example, the dimensions may be varied to produce a desirable rate of deposition of stemming material depending on the type of material being deposited, the dimensions of the blast hole in which material is being deposited and the size of material being deposited, and to control many other variables not mentioned herein. In some embodiments, a discharge chute attachment 26 is permanently affixed to the funnel portion 15 or to the bucket 12 at a location corresponding the to the discharge opening 18. In other embodiments, the discharge chute attachment 26 is configured to releasably engage the funnel portion 15 through various means, including a pin and hole (one embodiment of which is illustrated in
The discharge chute attachment 26 may also be configured to engage with other structures located on the funnel cover 14. In some embodiments, the funnel cover 14 may have a pronounced ledge extending from the location of the discharge opening, configured to releasably engage with the discharge chute attachment 26 through various means.
In some embodiments, discharge of stemming material via the discharge opening 18 and the discharge chute attachment 26 may also be controlled via a movable gate 20 attached to the funnel cover 14. The gate 20 is operable to move to and be secured in multiple positions in which the gate 20 at least partially covers the discharge opening 18 by different amounts.
Some embodiments of the funnel bucket apparatus 10 may include one or more bucket vibrators 24 that vibrate the bucket 12 to facilitate a uniform rate of flow of stemming material via the discharge opening 18 and to prevent clumps of material from clogging the discharge opening 18. The bucket vibrator 24 may be disposed at various locations on the funnel cover 14 or the bucket 12, and either internally or externally located depending on the material being deposited. In one embodiment depicted in
In operation, when attached to factory mounts and the hydraulic system of a typical loader, an operator controls the actuator system 22 to move the funnel cover 14 of the funnel bucket apparatus 10 into an open position, as shown in
With regard to the funnel angle depicted in
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63445312 | Feb 2023 | US |
